McClellan-Palomar Airport

KCRQ / CLD

Carlsbad, US

Last Updated
Jun 10, 14:53Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Recent 48 min ago
14:53Z

☀️ Day
IFR
Flight Rules
17°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 15°C
0 kt
6 SM
Visibility
700 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1011 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR KCRQ 101453Z 00000KT 6SM BR OVC007 17/15 A2985 RMK AO2 SLP105 T01720150 53008 $

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 331 ft
OVC 700 ft AGL
☁️
OVC
Overcast (8/8 sky coverage)
700 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
1,031 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

IFR

McClellan-Palomar Airport is currently reporting instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with overcast skies at 700 feet and 6 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are calm, presenting no crosswind concerns for any runway.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 6 SM. The ceiling is 700 feet AGL (overcast). Only precision approaches may be usable depending on minimums.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 17°C (63°F) with a dewpoint of 15°C. The temperature-dewpoint spread is very narrow, indicating saturated or near-saturated air. Fog formation or low cloud development is likely.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 24 hours. The forecast shows a transition between VFR and IFR conditions. Pilots should monitor the forecast closely and have an alternate airport plan.

Pilot Recommendations

An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are required. Verify that destination and alternate approach minimums are above current and forecast conditions. The narrow temperature-dewpoint spread creates risk of fog formation, particularly during evening and early morning hours.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1011 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1000 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (331 ft)
Pressure Alt
399 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 718 ft
ISA Deviation: +2.7°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF KCRQ 101127Z 1012/1112 VRB04KT P6SM OVC008 FM101600 VRB04KT P6SM SCT012 FM101900 22009KT P6SM FEW012 FM110300 VRB04KT P6SM BKN008
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
15:40Z BASE
+0h
IFR VRB 4 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 800 ft
16:00Z FM101600
+1h
VFR VRB 4 kt
Visibility: >6SM
19:00Z FM101900
+4h
VFR 220° 9 kt
Visibility: >6SM
03:00Z FM110300
+12h
IFR VRB 4 kt
Visibility: >6SM
Ceiling: 800 ft

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
Chart Features
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
CRQ
06
24

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
06/24 4,897 ft 150 ft ASP 79°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
79° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - KCRQ

8,016 observations | Sep 2025 - Jun 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
67.2%
MVFR
20.2%
IFR
7.1%
LIFR
5.4%

McClellan-Palomar Airport typically experiences VFR conditions 67.2% of the time, though instrument-rated pilots will find IFR weather present approximately 12.5% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the W averaging 5.4 knots. Calm conditions occur 35.3% of the time. Temperatures typically range between 6°C and 31°C with an average of 16.5°C. The best months for VFR flying are February, April, March.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: W (270°)
Average Speed: 5.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 24 kt
Calm Winds: 35.3%
Direction Distribution:
N
1.8%
NE
4.1%
E
10%
SE
7.3%
S
7.1%
SW
10.5%
W
21.8%
NW
2.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 16.5°C
Range: 6°C to 31°C
6°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 9.3 SM
Below 3 SM: 1.9%
Fog Frequency: 3.8%

Best Months for VFR

February April March

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 06/24
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.5 kt

Statistics computed from 8,016 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jun 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

McClellan-Palomar Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: KCRQ
IATA Code: CLD
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 331 ft MSL

Location

City: Carlsbad
Country: US
Latitude: 33.128300°
Longitude: -117.279999°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+8

Runway Information

Runway 06/24
Length: 4,897 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About McClellan-Palomar Airport

Overview

McClellan-Palomar Airport serves the coastal region of Carlsbad, California, located at 33.128300, -117.279999 with an elevation of 331 feet MSL. As a medium airport, it provides critical aviation infrastructure for the San Diego metropolitan area, supporting various general aviation and local transportation needs.

Flying Conditions

The airport experiences predominantly VFR conditions 67.2% of the time, with moderate visibility averaging 8.9 statute miles. Seasonal variations show best VFR conditions in December, January, and October, while wind patterns are consistently westerly at 270 degrees with an average speed of 5.1 knots and occasional peaks up to 21 knots. Temperature ranges from 6°C to 27°C, with an average of 16.4°C.

Notable Features

Runway 06/24 is the primary operational surface, measuring 4,897 feet with an asphalt surface. The airport demonstrates favorable wind alignment, with 100% runway compatibility and minimal average crosswind of 2.7 knots. Calm wind conditions occur 39.6% of the time, providing consistent and predictable flying environments.

Approach Considerations

Pilots can expect generally stable approach conditions with westerly winds. The runway demonstrates excellent wind alignment, minimizing crosswind challenges during landings and takeoffs. Low IFR conditions occur in 8.5% of observations, with occasional fog reported in 7.1% of meteorological records, suggesting potential instrument approach considerations.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.